MLB.com's Carrie Muskat has been covering Major League Baseball since 1981 and is the author of "Banks to Sandberg to Grace: Five Decades of Love and Frustration with the Cubs." You can follow her on Twitter @CarrieMuskat. Here, she blogs about the Cubs.

11/11 Castro back at work

Starlin Castro’s offseason is over. The 20-year-old shortstop has reported to the Leones de Escogido in the Dominican Winter Leagues and was expected to play his first game Saturday or Sunday. Former Cubs outfielder Moises Alou is Escogido’s general manager. Castro is playing without any restrictions from the Cubs.

“I came to work on my defense, primarily on my throw to first base,” Castro said.

The shortstop batted .300 in 125 games with the Cubs in his rookie season, hitting three home runs, including a three-run shot in his first at-bat May 7. He also committed 27 errors, and Cubs coach Ivan DeJesus and Minor League infield instructor Franklin Font were expected to visit Castro in the Dominican Republic this offseason to work on his defense.

Castro will find out Monday how he finished in the National League Rookie of the Year balloting by the Baseball Writers Association of America.

— Carrie Muskat

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I hope Starlin Castro learns the Art of Stealing bases. The Cubs need a solid lead off hitter and it would appear that Castro is the only option. He has alot of work to do in the offseason, but at the same time, I hope he is well rested come March.

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